    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
    [October 18, 2004]
    [Pages 2565-2567]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the 2004 United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams
    October 18, 2004

        Thank you all for coming. Please be seated. It's such an honor for
    Laura and me to welcome the mighty United States
    Olympic team to the White House. We're really proud of our athletes. We
    want to welcome the U.S. Olympians and the Paralympians

    [[Page 2566]]

    here on the South Lawn. We welcome the coaches and the team leaders who
    are here today. We welcome the former Olympians and Paralympians who are
    with us today. We want to welcome Herman Frazier and Jeanne Picariello.
    We want to welcome the family members here. But most of all, we're
    thrilled the athletes are here.
        To qualify for Team USA, you had to set high goals, devote long
    hours to training, and outperform talented athletes from all across our
    country. In Athens, you faced the toughest competition and the highest
    pressure in all of sports. And when the games were over, America had
    earned more than 100 medals, the most in the world. We heard our
    national anthem played 35 times to honor gold medalists. Our athletes
    created lasting memories for millions of Americans who followed the
    games.
        We'll always remember Paul Hamm coming from
    behind to win the gold in the men's gymnastics, and Carly
    Patterson winning the women's gold the next
    night. We'll remember Rulon Gardner leaving
    his shoes in the ring after winning his last match as an Olympic
    wrestler. We'll remember our many incredible swimmers, swimmers like
    Michael Phelps and the 4 by 200 women's
    freestyle relay team that set a world record. We'll remember the
    Paralympians who earned a remarkable 88 medals for the United States of
    America. Including Royal Mitchell and Karissa
    Whitsell, each of who earned two gold
    medals. We'll remember all the American teams that came together to win
    gold in the Olympics and Paralympics--men's rowing and sailing, women's
    soccer, softball, basketball--[laughter]--beach volleyball, and the
    women's wheelchair basketball team. Your success has showed the power of
    discipline and persistence.
        These games came at an historic time for the world. You and your
    fellow Olympians showed why we have such great hope in this world. Think
    about what happened at the opening ceremonies. Our teams marched
    alongside men and women from Afghanistan and Iraq, nations that just 4
    years ago knew only tyranny and repression.
        With millions watching, you showed the best values of America. You
    were humble in victory, gracious in defeat. You showed compassion for
    your competitors. You showed the great tolerance and diversity of our
    people. You're great athletes. Most importantly, you showed great
    character. You made us all proud, and I want to thank you for being such
    fine ambassadors of our Nation to the world.
        You also understand your responsibility to be champions away from
    the field as well. Appreciate the good examples you set for millions of
    children who dream about becoming Olympians or Paralympians themselves.
        In the years ahead, I hope you'll continue to give back to your
    communities. I hope you'll consider mentoring a child or coaching a
    child. With your generosity and decency, you'll make this country a more
    hopeful place.
        Once again, welcome to the White House. Congratulations. May God
    continue to bless our country.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:07 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Herman Frazier, Chef de Mission,
    2004 U.S. Olympic team; Jeanne Picariello, Chef de Mission, 2004 U.S.
    Paralympic team; Paul Hamm, gymnast, Carly Patterson, gymnast, Rulon
    Gardner, wrestler, and Michael Phelps, swimmer, U.S. Olympic team; and
    Royal Mitchell, runner, and Karissa Whitsell, cyclist, U.S. Paralympic
    team.

    [[Page 2567]]